Shank support



Sept. 15, 1931. G. D. MYERS ET AL SHANK SUPPORT Filed March 24, 1928 5'ear3e Da/fah M efs .samuel .fi'chmond Patented Sept. 15,1931

* unrr so STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE DALTON MYERS, F CINCINNATI, AND SAMUEL.RICHI{ION D, O]? BATAVIA, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE EDWARDS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO,

A CORPORATION or OHIO SHANK SUPPORT This invention relates to shank metal members, and especially to shank supports of the type used in womens shoes wherein the outer sole is formed or molded to conform to the lower face of the shank support.

An object of this invention is to provide a shank support of the. type referred to which facilitates the construction of shoes. Another object is to provide a shank 0 metal, the use of which makes possible the productionof a more durable and comfort able shoe.

Another object is to provide a shank support which provides an integral portion interiorly of the shoe at the rear of the ball of the foot to replace the heretofore used fillers I and pads.

A further object is to provide a structure of this kind which eliminates certain labor operations commonly performed in shoes of the class referred to.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a shank support of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the support shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 83 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modified construction of the support.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental top plan view of another modified form of the device of the invention.

In the manufacture of womens shoes the so-called arch supporting type of shoe requires a metal shank support which extends from the heel to the ball of the foot. shank supports usually have the forward end developed into a spoon like formation, part of which lies flat with the sole and part of which merges with the shank or arch supporting metal. This shank metal lies between the inner and outer soles, and due to abrupt angle of the forward end, required the insertion of some material to support the inner sole in a relatively flat position.

The device of the present invention is of formed sheet metal and may have its shank These.

portion 8 of any desired width and cross sectional shape, this portion being subject to variation in accordance with the particular style of shoe or the demand of the shoe manufacturer. The rear end 9 is likewise subject to variation as to shape and location. of tack holes 10. As shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and as is also noted in Figs. 2 and 3, the forward end is formed or dished to provide a flat portion 11 and angular corners l2 and 13 which meet a longitudinal rib or corner 14 extending along the body of the shank. These corners and ribs define the contour of the outer sole of a shoe, as indicated in dotted lines at 15 (see Fig. 2) and which may be quite sharp or rounded according to the style of the shoe in which the metal shank supports are to be used. The device as thus far described and exclusive of the features hereinafter described, represents the general type of shank metal members now in use. The insole is adapted to lie upon the opposite or upper face of the metal member and must of necessity avoid complete conformity with the depression or hol- 10w occasioned by the dishing or forming as shown at 16 in Figs. 2 and 3. Heretofore it was necessary either to fill the depression with one or more pieces of material to support the insole, or to rely upon the stiffness of the insole material to be self sustaining. The tendency toward yielding of the insole and toward displacement of inserted members after a period of wear constitute a disadvantage which is obviated by the simple expedient structure of the invention.

The device of the invention consists, in its simplest form, as illustrated, in providing an integral dished plate 17 connected to the body of the shank support by a somewhat restricted bendable portion or neck 18 and permitting the periphery of the plate to constricted neck of metal which is later turned upon itself to provide the finished product. The forming operation strengthens the structure. The necessity for a filling mate rial is therefore obviated since the face 19 of the plate supports the insole 20 of a shoe cooperating with the top face ofthe body 8 and with the upturned edges 21 in this-function. The dome of the plate 17 may be slightly resilient.

.The modification shown in v.Fig. 4 comprises the provision of a turned under plate 22 with the top portion 23 suitably formed and continuous with the body 8. This amounts in practice to aireversalof. the parts 16 and 17 of the previously described embodiment.

,In Fig. 5-there is illustrated a support wherein theconnecting neck 18 extends from one side of the body .8 instead of from the endof thebottom member'll.

From 1 the foregoing it will be understood 7 that structural modifications .may 'be .had withinthe spirit and scope of the disclosure herein. The device and variations thereof provide a desirablearch supporting shank metal and at the same time eliminate the undesirable depression heretofore encounteredzin devices now in use. The essential feature of the invention lies in the provision of .asinglelight weight stiffener or support which permits the inner and outer sole members .of a shoe to be in abutment along the arch .portion of the shoe and which bridges :the depression at the front of the arch and adequately supports the insole thereover without :added parts or .labor.

'po'rtionfor giving form to an outer sole and an integral member oppositely dished to cover the first mentioned hollow portion-for solidly "supporting an insole in spaced relation to said first mentioned hollow portion.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names this 9th'dayof March,

.GEQRGEDALTON MYERS.

SAMUEL RICHMOND.

.Shoeshaving shank supports ofithe invention embodied therein may belouiltalong graceful lines, with actual and apparent freedom from excessive weight and at the same time are capable of greater strength .and greater comfort than heretofore attaina 1e.

.What'is claimed is:

.1. As a new article of manufactures. sheet metal shank support having a pairof'integr-al superposed dished portions at one end. 2. As a new'article of manufacture a shank support ofsheet material for insertion between the insole and outer sole of a shoe and having adjacent one "of its ends an integral overhanging formed portion whereby to solidly support both said sole members in spaced relation greater than the thickness ing integral spaced superposedoppositely dished members at one end to space and sup port the :sole members solidly.

- 4. A shoezshank support having oneend formed into a covered hollow body said 

